Nationwide Blackout Looms as Electricity Workers Down Tools in Nigeria

A sweeping strike by electricity workers across Nigeria threatens to plunge significant parts of the country into darkness, with reports of outages already emerging in some states. The industrial action began on Thursday, September 25, 2025, after workers declared a nationwide strike over unresolved grievances.

Workers under the umbrella of the Electricity Workers Union announced the strike following the expiration of an earlier warning ultimatum issued to the federal government and power sector authorities. Among their demands are predictable and full payment of salaries, adequate staffing, safety allowances, and improved working conditions.

Already, reports have emerged from states including Lagos, Oyo, and Kaduna of sudden power outages, with customers left without electricity and reliant on generators. Residents in affected areas expressed frustration, citing the high cost of running generator sets. Some critical health and emergency facilities are said to be operating on backup systems.

Officials from the union vowed that warrant violations would derail the strike’s course. They have called on the government to publicly address their demands within 72 hours or risk the strike being escalated. Meanwhile, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has warned of worsening grid instability due to manpower shortfalls if the strike continues.

Electricity sector watchers warn that prolonged disruption could impact essential services—water supply, hospitals, telecoms—and cripple economic activity. The government has not yet issued a formal response, but power ministry insiders say emergency meetings are underway to negotiate a resolution.